4 proven methods to get rid of road salt stains from shoes

Forewarned always insured, or a few words on how to prevent road salt stains

Are you wondering why unsightly stains appear on your shoes in winter? Road salt, which is sprinkled on the surfaces, is absorbed by the upper of the shoe. When the moisture evaporates, a non-contiguous white spot appears before your eyes. 

To prevent this, be sure to impregnate your shoes before using them for the first time. Thanks to this, you will create a water-repellent layer and prevent salt from penetrating the upper of the shoe. So you will be sure that your new purchase will be much less exposed to the negative effects of external factors and will serve you much longer!

Do not forget to use a waterproof and stain-resistant preparation. In this way, you will save time that you will have to spend on removing salt stains, and your shoes will delight with their great appearance for the next seasons.

How to prepare shoes for cleaning?

Have you forgotten about impregnation and unsightly road salt stains have appeared on your shoes? Head's up! We know how to deal with this and we are happy to share this knowledge!

However, before you proceed, wipe off the salt residue as much as possible. For this purpose, use a damp cloth with a relatively soft texture. It will be best if you use warm water. If you prefer to dry clean your shoes, use a soft bristle brush to help get rid of the salt.

Time is your ally!

Remember that time matters! Road salt is rich in a variety of chemicals and stains caused by it can be harmful to your shoes and cause permanent discoloration. In particular, this applies to soft uppers made of natural materials, e.g. delicate calfskin.

Act as quickly as possible and under no circumstances leave salted shoes for later, because dealing with this problem will be much more difficult. Then follow the proven home remedies we've covered in this guide.

Kitchen helpers in the fight against salt stains

If water alone did not help, you will need the support of kitchen helpers. Vinegar and dishwashing liquid are products that you definitely have!

Mix vinegar with water in equal proportions and using a white cloth, wipe a barely visible place on the upper. If no discoloration has appeared, you can proceed to action. Rub the salt stains vigorously until they are completely gone. You can support yourself with a soft brush, which will enhance the effect of the vinegar. Then use a damp cloth to easily remove the vinegar residue. 

Attention! The combination of salt and vinegar can cause leather to fade and even crack. To prevent this, all you have to do is apply a conditioner dedicated to this material after this process, which will help you maintain elasticity and bring out the color, and your shoes will look like new.

The vinegar method, however, will not work for suede shoes. In this case, we recommend replacing vinegar dishwashing liquid. Do the same for amazing results.

To speed up the drying process of the upper and keep the shoes in perfect shape, fill them with old newspapers. Under no circumstances leave your shoes near the heater. The effects may be the opposite of what you intended!

School equipment as a last resort

To get rid of road salt stains from shoes, you will need something that is in every student's pencil case - Eraser. This product will effectively help you deal with the problem when white spots appeared on your suede shoes. Just wipe the salty areas and shake off the eraser residue. See how simple it is? 

To keep your suede shoes looking as good as ever, brush them thoroughly with a special suede brush. Alternatively, you can use an old toothbrush.=

If you haven't managed to get rid of stubborn road salt stains, you don't have to part with your favorite pair of shoes. The only thing you need is marker. If you are dealing with black leather footwear, the effects will be sensational! 

To restore the former blackness, paint over the remains of road salt with a felt-tip pen. Make sure you use a waterproof product for lasting results. Repeat this process as needed!

Side effect of magical winter

Road salt stains on your shoes are an unpleasant side effect of magical winter. Although spraying it on roads and sidewalks effectively protects you from falling, it certainly gets on your nerves. Fortunately, it doesn't have to be that way! Knowing the proven tricks, you will easily get rid of unsightly white stains from your favorite shoes. Good luck!